apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

1. Build a nice foundation. To create a beautiful nursery, treat it like any other room in the house and make sure you are starting with a good foundation: clean floors; painted out crown molding, baseboards, and window and door frames; appropriate window treatments.

2. Make statements with color and pattern. Paint doesn't have to be pastels or brights; wallpaper doesn't have to feature cowboys or ballerinas. You can make a beautiful statement in the nursery using inspiration from the rest of your house. The same is true for rugs - an adult rug can work just as well, like the medallion rug in the photo.

3. Choose furniture pieces that are functional. Although not intended for toddlers, the leather ottoman in this nursery is a great piece. It's soft, easy to clean and a great height for young ones.

4. Add touches of playfulness. Layer in accessories and toys for your little ones. It's not an adult's room, but a child's room furnished with adult accessories. We like the large chalkboard wall, an unexpected and welcomed balance to the rest of the room.

(pic via Nesting Blog)